Lunyu XI. 24. (291)

A great minister. Chung-yû and Zan Ch'iû only ordinary ministers.
1. Chî Tsze-zan asked whether Chung Yû and Zan Ch'iû could be called great ministers.
2. The Master said, "I thought you would ask about some extraordinary individuals, and you only ask about Yû and Ch'iû!
3. "What is called a great minister, is one who serves his prince according to what is right, and when he finds he cannot do so, retires.
4. "Now, as to Yû and Ch'iû, they may be called ordinary ministers."
5. Tsze-zan said, "Then they will always follow their chief;– will they?"
6. The Master said, "In an act of parricide or regicide, they would not follow him."

Legge XI.23.

Chi Tzu-jan asked, 'Can Chung Yu and Jan Ch'iu be called great ministers?'
The Master said, 'I had expected a somewhat different question. It never occurred to me that you were going to ask about Yu and Ch'iu. The term "great minister" refers to those who serve their lord according to the Way and who, when this is no longer possible, relinquish office. Now men like Yu and Ch'iu can be described as ministers appointed to make up the full quota.'
'In that case, are they the kind that will always do as they are told?'
'No. They will not do so when it comes to patricide or regicide.'